Arthritis & Supplements

What is Arthritis?

What is the conventional treatment of osteoarthrits?

Glucosamine is a natural nutrient and is virtually free of side effects and there have been no reports of any adverse drug interactions. Most people will experience significant improvement within 1-8 weeks. Twice daily supplementation is needed to experience the full benefit.

The primary drugs used in the treatment of osteoarthritis are called "NSAID's" (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). These drugs help to relieve pain and are tolerated well if used carefully and cautiously. NSAID's if used long term or if not utilized properly may be associated with gastric irritation , GI bleeding, liver and kidney damage.

What can I use that is natural for my joints? Glucosamine Sulfate! MSM!

The main natural substances that keep joints healthy is glucosamine sulfate (GS), an amino sugar. The body utilizes glucosamine to stimulate the process of cartilage renewal and helps make the synovial fluid in the joints thick and elastic. A deficiency of GS can effect the repairative process within the tendons, ligaments, bones, synovial fluid, and cartilage. Tissues in the joints become damaged when these lubricating fluids become thin and watery. The normal cushioning is lost and consequently the bones and the cartilage will scrape each other inside the joint space resulting in joint destruction, pain, loss of movement and flexiblity. GS has shown to exert a protective effect against joint destruction, exerting a powerful healing effect on an injured joint.  Average dosages range from 10-15 mg per lb. per day, in two divided doses, two timer per day, use as directed.

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane or dimethylsulfone) is a source of organic sulfur found naturally in the human body. MSM, the major metabolite of DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide), is 34% elemental sulfur, a compound which is crucial in maintaining healthy tissues. While sulfur supports many functions, it is well known for maintaining connective tissue health. Sulfur also supports tissue containing significant amounts of collagen and keratin, including hair, skin, and nails. Sulfur is essential in methionine, cysteine and serum protein metabolism. Recent, preliminary evidence suggests that MSM provides potential support for healthy immune, joint tissue, and respiratory function.   Average dosages range from 800-3000 mg, two times per day, use as directed.

Additional Supplements for Joint Care and Health:

Fish or Flaxseed Oil....Essential fatty acids that help control pain and inflammation.  

Vitamin C....Helps control pain and inflammation, antioxidant.

Multivitamin....Supplies essential nutrients needed to repair and maintain tissues.

Coenzyme Q10....Increases tissue oxygenation to aid in repair of connective tissue.

Garlic....Antioxidant and detoxifier.

Proteolytic Enzymes (digestive enzymes, bromelain, etc.)....Reduces inflammation, improves absorption of foods needed for tissue repair. 

Probiotics....Bacterial cultures, such as  acidophilus, that assist the body's naturally occurring flora in the gastrointestinal tract that help the digestive processes and balance.

Diet....Fruit, vegetables, fish, no meat, 8 glasses of water per day, rest, exercise.

Calcium/Magnesium....Calcium excites nerves, prevents bone loss, needed for blood clotting.  Magnesium relaxes muscles, also prevents bone loss, keeps blood flowing freely.  Any imbalance of these two minerals can be unhealthy. 

Fish oil

HEALTH BENEFITS OF FISH OIL

Cardiovascular Health
Fish oil from supplements and dietary sources has been
shown to provide support for healthy triglycerides and vascular
relaxation. Fish oil is associated with positive effects on lipid
metabolism, blood flow, platelet function, endothelial tone
and homocysteine metabolism.
Musculoskeletal Support
Numerous double-blind trials indicate that fish oil promotes
joint mobility and joint comfort, in part by maintaining
healthy prostaglandin, cytokine and leukotriene production.
Epidemiological research suggests that fish consumption is
associated with healthy bone mineralization. In studies, the
combination of fish oil and calcium supplementation promotes
healthy bone composition in the elderly.
Cognitive/Emotional Health
Epidemiological and clinical research indicates that fish oil
supports positive mood, mental function and memory. By
promoting healthy neuronal cell membrane function and blood
flow, fish oil facilitates oxygen and nutrient delivery to the brain.
Infants and children born to mothers who had supplemented
with fish oil demonstrate healthy cognitive capacity.
Gastrointestinal Comfort
Fish oil has a soothing and anti-inflammatory effect for the gastrointestinal tract.
Skin Health
Omega-3 fatty acids protect keratinocytes and skin fibroblasts
from free radicals and immune mediators generated by sun
exposure. Additionally, these essential fatty acids help promote
elasticity and hydration for smoother looking skin.
Eye Health
Studies suggest that fish oil, particularly DHA, promotes
visual acuity and hydration.

Joint Noise: Popping and Cracking

Popping and cracking sounds in the course of the movement of human joints are natural—and often disconcerting. These sounds are made in two general circumstances: when the sound is accompanied by pain in the moving joint, and when the sound occurs with the movement alone.

Most joints in the body have common construction features. Two or more bones create the skeletal component, with the bones at their point of contact covered by a slick, friction-reducing material known as articular cartilage. The joint is encased in a capsule that contains synovial fluid, a substance also designed to reduce friction in the joint. Present in the joint is often a bursa, a gel-filled fibrous sac that acts to cushion impacts received at the joint. The bones at the joint are secured to one another by ligaments; the joint usually is powered by muscle and tendon groups secured to the bones.

The bony structure of the back is the spinal column, the arrangement of vertebrae and the ligaments known as facets. Slight misalignments that do not impair either the intravertebral disks or surrounding muscles can cause a cracking sound on movement.

When the ligaments move, it is often against the bones of the joint, which creates a slight stretching and then mild snapping back to their accustomed position. The knuckles are the metacarpophalangeal joints, which are often the site of joint noise that results when people deliberately pop or crack their knuckles. The act of pulling on the knuckle using the attached finger creates a gas bubble in the synovial fluid that surrounds the joint. By pulling on the knuckle, the joint is increased in size by approximately 15%. The popping sound occurs twice in this transaction, once as the finger is pulled to create the larger space in the fluid sac surrounding the knuckle, and again as the joint returns to its natural size and position. Repeated deliberate popping of these knuckle joints tends to cause an inflammation in the joint. And finally, the sounds made in the neck occur in a similar fashion to those in the back, by the action of the spinal column; the neck is supported by the cervical vertebrae. A common expression used to describe the sensation prior to the cracking sound or sensation is a "crick" in the neck.

When the joint noise is accompanied by a painful sensation, the noise is usually a symptom of a joint injury or degenerative condition. When the noise from the joint occurs in conjunction with pain in the joint, the cartilage in the joint, can be possibly torn (if trauma) or otherwise worn.

In most joints, pain that accompanies the sound of a pop or a crack is a symptom of arthritis. It is common for arthritic pain to manifest itself without any sound from the joint on movement.

*Please note:  If you have any medical condition, check your health care physician before taking any supplement.